Timber Conversion J.Byrne 2012

Conversion The Felled Tree is brought to a Saw Mill where it is Converted into usable sections The method used depends on the quality of the timber and its selling market. The main types of Conversion : Through Sawn / Slash Sawn : This method is cheapest (less handling) and produces widest boards. The growth ring is less than 45° to the face of the board. Plain Sawn : Boards are cut on a tangent to the rings. J.Byrne 2012

Quarter Sawn / Radial Sawn : These boards are cut with the growth rings at 90° to the face of the board, making them the most stable. Tangential Sawn : These boards have a straight figure with a flower figure or ribbon like figure found in hard woods like Oak. J.Byrne 2012

Moisture Content J.Byrne 2012

Seasoning When a Tree is felled it’s timber starts to lose moisture & the process of seasoning begins. As the wood loses water, air moves in to fill the empty spaces of it’s cells & so becomes lighter in weight. 30%MC is Fiber Saturation Point after this point timber starts to shrink. 20%MC timber must be below this to prevent Dry Rot. Structural timber 15% - 17%MC Furniture 11% - 13 %MC Fire surrounds, radiator cabinets 8%MC J.Byrne 2012

Why is Timber Seasoned ? Timber is Seasoned is to reduce the Moisture Content. To render the Timber more stable stop it from further shrinkage. To increase durability the Timber must be taken below the Dry rot safety zone of 20%MC and to prevent many wood attacking insects. To enhance workability. Dry Timber machines easier than wet timber which tends to be more pulpy and gums up machine cutters Dry Timber will absorb preservatives easier. Adhesives & finishes will not adhere to wet Timber J.Byrne 2012

Stacking Timber for Seasoning In order for timber to dry properly it must be stacked correctly with lots of room for Air circulation. The bale of Timber must be kept off the ground on Joists and each boards must be at least 25mm apart and each row of timber kept apart with stickers. J.Byrne 2012

Timber Stack Evaporation of moisture through the end grain of the timber is greater than from the middle of the stack. If not controlled shrinkage and splitting of the boards can occur. 3 methods used : Batten nailed to the end.(1 nail) Hoop iron strap nailed on. Thick oil or paint on the end grain. J.Byrne 2012

Moisture Content As the tree cells looses water air moves in to fill the empty spaces and the tree becomes lighter in weight. The amount of moisture that is in the timber cells is called Moisture Content and is based as a percentage of the timber as a whole. Wet weight - Dry weight X 100 =M.C.% Dry weight 50g – 40g X 100 = 25% 40g Ans = 25% M.C. J.Byrne 2012

Seasoning Natural Seasoning : timber is stacked out-doors protected from the elements in an open shed with free flowing air. Artificial : Kiln Seasoning planks are stacked on trolleys and placed into closed brickwork kilns where the wood is dried slowly by artificial heat. Timber is seasoned in 10 -12 days Progressive Kiln: Built as a long tunnel the timber must be of a similar size & specie. The timber moves through the tunnel and comes out the other end seasoned. J.Byrne 2012

Natural Timber Defects Heart Shake: splits radiating from the centre of the log, as a result of shrinkage or over maturity. Star Shake: Cracks in a star-like formation at the centre of the log. All logs show a little of this defect on drying. Shell shake / Cup Ring : Separation of the annual rings due to lack of nourishment, excessive wind or unequal growth. J.Byrne 2012

Natural Timber Defects Radial Shake : Cracks along the line of the rays widening towards the outside as tree dries out. Wandering Heart : Irregular crooked growth starting in young trees exposed to strong winds. Thunder Shake / Upsett : Hair like fractures across the grain of a board due to bad felling or violent storms J.Byrne 2012

Manmade Timber Defects Waney edge : Converted timber having one or more edges not square or containing bark. Badly stacked boards: Can result in J.Byrne 2012 Cupping Twisting Springing Bowing

Seasoning Timber Defects Honeycombing : internal splits due to incorrect Kiln seasoning. Collapse : Timber is dried too quickly water is sucked out before air has a chance to fill the cell and the cell walls collapse. Case Hardening : The inner core remains wet while the outer case dries and hardens. End splits : Untreated ends of timber will split from Moisture evaporation. J.Byrne 2012